Theories of Emotion James-Lange Theory An emotion-provoking stimulus produces a physical response...

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Theories of Emotion• James-Lange Theory

An emotion-provoking stimulus produces a physical response that, in turn, produces an emotion

Emotions come about as a result of these physiological changes, rather than being

their cause.

James-Lange Theory• I see a bear My muscles tense, my

heart races I feel afraid

Theories of Emotion

• Cannon-Bard Theory An emotional feeling and an internal

physiological response occur at the same time

• I see a bear I feel afraid I tense in readiness to run away.

• One is not the cause of the other• Both the result of a cognitive appraisal of the situation

Theories of Emotion

• Two-Factor Theory of Emotion Emotion results from the cognitive appraisal of both

• 1. Physical arousal • 2. Emotion provoking stimulus

Testing the Two Factor TheoryDutton and Aron (1974)

• Dutton and Aron had an attractive woman conduct interviews with young men both on a swaying rope bridge, 200 ft above a river, and also on steady bridge only 10 feet high.

• Part way through the discussion, she gave them her phone number in case they wanted the results.

Results

• Over 60% from the rope bridge called her back, versus 30% from the firm ground group.

• They had interpreted their arousal from fear on the bridge as attraction to the woman and we calling seeking a date, not the results of the interview.

EmotionfearCognitive interpretation

“I feel afraid!”

Physiological arousaltremblingincreased heart rate

James-James-Lange Lange TheoryTheory

Cannon-Cannon-Bard Bard

TheoryTheory

Two-Two-Factor Factor TheoryTheory

Stimulussnake

Stimulus

Emotionfear

Physiological arousaltremblingincreased heart rate

Emotionfear

Theories of Emotion• Cognitive Appraisal Theory

Theory that individuals decide on an appropriate emotion following the event

• In the absence of physiological arousal, we decide what to feel after interpreting or explaining what

has just happened.

Example Cognitive Appraisal Theory

• When a colleague gets promoted, you might feel resentful if you think you deserve the

promotion more than they do.

• After reading the remarks from a teacher on a paper...

• …you decide if they are positive or not

Opponent-Process Theory

• Theory that emotions have pairs

• When we trigger one emotion, we suppress its opposite

Two Emotion Processing Systems in the Brain

• 1. Fast Response System

• 2. Slow Response System

Arousal Theory and the Inverted “U”

• Inverted “U” Function • Describes the relationship between arousal and

performance

Inverted “U” Function

• Too much or too little arousal can impair performance• The most advantageous level for tasks needs to be

identified

Performance

Low HighLow

Arousal Level

Arousal Theory

• People seek an optimal level of arousal that maximizes their performance.

Sensation Seekers • Individuals who have a biological need for higher levels of stimulation than do other people

Extreme Sport Bloopers

Theories of Emotion James-Lange Theory An emotion-provoking stimulus produces a physical response...

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